For starters, you’ll want to learn the ups, downs, hops and scampers your rosy-cheeked rabbit. These would include his diet; exercise; tooth and bone care; and handling him just right. Regular veterinary checkups for vaccinations would also be at the top of your Lop’s list, as would advice on medications. This is because many of can be toxic to your twitchy-nosed pal.

So, now that you know a bit of what a rabbit en-tails, here are some things to consider before adopting one.

Are you in it for the long ears – oops – haul?

Your carrot-loving cohort has a long life span, so prepare yourself to be a pet parent for many years. And don’t forget, big love comes in small packages: Your little Alfalfa will no doubt be twitching to form a tight bond with your family. Rabbits aren’t low on the maintenance pole, however, so just count on becoming Partners-in-Peter Rabbit with your vet. Your bunny will need routine care, after all. So, if you’re ready to jump in to the unique needs of a floppy new friend, you can then fully enjoy their cuddly companionship for years to come.

Choosing a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed bunny.

Taking a good look at a potential pet rabbit not only can give you a sense of his personality, but also help you sniff out any obvious signs of illness. While there are no guarantees, it’s best to avoid rabbits that are showing common signs of health problems, if you really want to save yourself a bit of hare-ache, in the future.

Finding a good rabbit hole.

So, you want to add a rabbit to your family of pet-lovers? Ears to you! Your local shelter or rabbit rescue is a great place to start, as there are plenty of floppy-eared friends who could use a second chance at a loving home. So, hop to it!